Mike's Hikes: Villager Peak

Date:

Saturday, January 21, 2017 - 6:00am to 5:00pm

Join fitness enthusiast and hike leader Mike Puzzo for a series of 5 strenuous hikes to some of the most popular and iconic peaks of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. These hikes are NOT interpretive walks, they are strenuous, fast-paced hikes intended for experienced hikers in good physical condition looking for some guidance up to the top of our desert peaks.

All participants should be very experienced hikers, accustomed to full day, 10+ mile strenuous hikes. Each person should be prepared with their own essentials- water, food, clothing… the works. Due to the difficulty of these hikes, the hike leader reserves the right to turn a participant away if deemed unprepared.

January 21, 2017 Villager Peak 6:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.Nestled among other iconic peaks in the Santa Rosa Mountains ridgeline, Villager Peak is a true adventure in stamina. This faint trail steamrolls right up Villager Peak and seems to never quit, climbing higher and higher. This is the longest of our Mike’s Hikes at 13 miles, and will require us to keep moving with few breaks. Although Villager has stable footing and a faint trail, the continuous incline makes for a very long and tiring day of hiking.

We will be hiking around 15 miles out and back, with an elevation gain of about 5,000 feet. Be prepared for the possibility of a large temperature difference between the start of the hike and the summit.

Meet: At the Thimble Trail parking area (mile 31.8) on the north side of S-22, 5.6 miles east of the Pegleg Smith monument.

Bring: Everything you need for a serious desert adventure. AT LEAST one gallon of water, sun protection, gloves, sturdy shoes, etc. Be sure to bring a headlamp as a precaution.